I’ve been living in NYC for 10 years (time flies!) and while I love this city I crave away time. The noise, crowds, grime, and insane hustle everyone has are things that make this city what it is and I wouldn’t change anything (well maybe the grime), but it’s nice to have a little break. One of the best, and easiest, places for a quick city escape is the Jersey Shore.
 
Growing up outside of the tri-state area, I always thought “Jersey Shore” was a specific town or area, but it’s actually the entire coast of New Jersey. Every town and community up and down the coast has unique characteristics and it seems like everyone has their favorite beach spot. One of my favorite spots is Asbury Park.
 
I love Asbury for a few reasons… It’s an easy trip from Manhattan, there’s a fun boardwalk, and the town is having a sort of renaissance with new bars, restaurants and shops popping up all the time. Asbury is also home to the legendary Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen got his start and it still hosts lots of great concerts. It’s a unique, quirky town filled with character. Here are some tips and photos to help you plan the best city escape to Asbury Park.
 
Getting There: If you have a car (and there’s not traffic) it’s an easy drive that takes a little over an hour. You can also take the NJ Transit train that stops in many of the shore towns, including Asbury. Asbury is far enough away to feel like a satisfying city break, but it’s close enough for a day trip. If you’re interested in staying the night, I’ve heard wonderful things about the newly opened hotel, The Asbury.
 
Do: There’s so much to do in Asbury. I love going to the beach but have been out of season too and had a great time. Take a stroll on the long boardwalk for some amazing people watching and shopping, play a round of mini golf on the boardwalk’s course, grab cocktails at one of the many beachfront bars, see a show at the Stone Pony… the list goes on and on. 

Eat and Drink: Some of my favorite spots in AP for a drink are the Asbury Park Yacht Club, the Biergarten, and the Beach Bar. The Wonder Bar is a quirky, classic Asbury spot that has an outdoor dog bar (yappy hour!). For food I love grabbing a bite outside on the boardwalk at Langosta Lounge, or heading a few blocks into town for pizza at Talula’s.

photo credits: one // two